check_writer

A ruby gem to help generate checks in PDF format.

It generates PDF checks that look something like this. Print that PDF on check stock using magnetic ink and you’ve got yourself a real check.

Note: This project is being written/maintained using Ruby 1.9.3. Other versions of Ruby have not been tested.

Project Status

A version of this code has been used in a production application for a couple of years and we are finally getting around to extracting the check writing code. As we go through this process, there may be significant changes to the API. You’ve been warned.

Currently the only check stock format that is supported is the 1/3 bottom check. You can get some check stock at Amazon, amongst other places.

GnuMICR

check_writer uses GnuMICR (www.sandeen.net/GnuMICR) to print the MICR numbers at the bottom of the check. Please read the notes on the GnuMICR site. We have not had any issues using this font (2+ years now), but that is no guarantee.

Example

@check = CheckWriter::Check.new(
  :number => '12345',                               # the check number
  :date => Date.yesterday,                          # Default: today

  :payee_name => 'John Smith',
  :payee_address => ['Line 1', 'City, State, Zip'], # Array of as many lines as desired

  :payor_name => 'Payor Name',
  :payor_address => ['Line 1', 'City, State, Zip'],

  :bank_name => 'Bank of America',
  :bank_address => ['Line 1', 'City, State, Zip'],
  :bank_fraction => '12-9876/1234',

  :routing_number => '1234567689',
  :account_number => '123456789',

  :amount => '1003.23',
  :memo => 'Memo: Void after 60 days'
)

check.to_pdf # returns PDF file data

If you set the with_stubs option to true you’ll get a bit of formatting and information displayed in the top and middle check stub. Here’s an example.

It is also possible to include additional data in the stubs in the form of a table. If with_stubs is true, then passing a 2D array to stub_table_data will generate a table within each stub. To pass options to Prawn’s #table method, set stub_table_options with a hash of options. You can also use stub_table_lambda to provide a block that is sent to the #table method. Example here.

Instead of just returning a PDF, you can access the Prawn PDF writer object (Prawn::Document), which you can use to further customize the check or even include multiple checks on the same PDF:

pdf = check1.to_prawn
pdf.start_new_page # this is a prawn method
pdf = check2.to_prawn(pdf)
pdf.render # returns the PDF data for a PDF w/ two checks on two pages

Signatures

Signatures can be included on the checks by setting the :signature_image_file option, which should reference a JPG or PNG image. The recommended dimensions for a signature image are 175px x 40px.

If you need a second signature line on the check, :second_signature_line to true.

Void and Blank Checks

There are times where you may want to print a check that is clearly marked as a void check. Setting void to a truish value will place “void” in place of the amount, check number, and the signature line.

If you want the PDF to include everything except the lower one-third of the page (the actual check part), set blank to a truish value.

Contributing to check_writer

Check out the latest master to make sure the feature hasn’t been implemented or the bug hasn’t been fixed yet.
Check out the issue tracker to make sure someone already hasn’t requested it and/or contributed it.
Fork the project.
Start a feature/bugfix branch.
Commit and push until you are happy with your contribution.
Make sure to add tests for it. This is important so I don’t break it in a future version unintentionally.
Please try not to mess with the Rakefile, version, or history. If you want to have your own version, or is otherwise necessary, that is fine, but please isolate to its own commit so I can cherry-pick around it.

Copyright

Font: The GnuMICR font is distributed under GPL, but please note the additional comments from the font creator in the GnuMICR README.